First look at Love/Hate star Tom Vaughan-Lawlor's role as priest in new RTÉ show
And his character is very different from anything he has played before. In These Sacred Vows, the Dubliner plays Fr Vincent, who marries an Irish couple at a Spanish wedding.
However, the morning after the wedding an idyllic getaway turns into a whodunit when the priest is found floating face-down in the swimming pool of a guest's villa. As a wild week takes place before the wedding, the series jumps back to the events that unfolded and led to the tragic death.
The six-part series has begun production in Tenerife, with a release date to come in 2026 in Ireland. Speaking about the new drama, screenwriter John Butler said: "Irish weddings are unique – and uniquely mad – and can be related to by everyone because, as with vermin, you're never too far away from the looming spectre of Someone's Big Day."
The drama is one of nine series that is in production for RTÉ this year, as the public broadcaster announced an "unprecedented" line-up of Irish drama. It promises to deliver over 142 hours of homegrown storytelling for screens in Ireland and around the world.
The dramas currently in production include Fair City, Hidden Assets, The Dry, Obituary and Sisters. Along with These Sacred Vows, filming for new series The Walsh Sisters is also underway.
A new drama and comedy will also be announced in the coming weeks. These projects are in conjunction with several production companies and funding partners; including the BBC, ITV, Hulu, AMC and Screen Ireland.
The public broadcaster said on top of bringing these stories to Irish audiences, international sales for these productions have been secured in 27 territories and regions worldwide. It added: "This ensures reaching out to the Irish living abroad and capturing an international audience, once again reinforcing the promotion of great local drama on an international stage.
"Collectively, these dramas will employ over 1,800 people including scriptwriters, directors, producers, actors, hair and make-up teams, wardrobe and various other creative talents, underpinning RTÉ's commitment to ongoing investment in the Irish creative economy and the independent production sector."
Director of Video at RTÉ, Steve Carson, said Irish drama is making an impact "on the world stage". He added: "RTÉ is delighted to play our part in this surge of Irish creative talent.
"The range and quality of Irish drama in production this year is driven by our new direction strategy, working with partners across the creative sector to develop and showcase the Irish stories for audiences at home and abroad."
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Irish Independent
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‘I remember Bono warning me not to touch cocaine – but it was too late': Anthony Kavanagh on addiction, Stephen Gately and hiding his sexuality
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